About 5,000 people celebrated in Des Moines tonight with President-elect Donald Trump.

“I’m here today for one main reason: to say ‘Thank you’ to the great, great people of Iowa,” Trump said, and the crowd cheered. “You went out and you pounded, I mean, pounded the pavement.”

Trump touted his 10-point win in Iowa as “a lot more” than was expected.

“Just to go into this for a second, so we won almost every single county in this state,” Trump said. “…We won one county that wasn’t won since Dwight D. Eisenhower. Anybody know the name of that county?”

A few people in the crowd yelled: “Dubuque,” and Trump replied: “Correct!”

Trump was the first Republican presidential candidate to win Dubuque County since 1956. Trump spoke for about 45 minutes, promising to pursue a “buy American, hire American” agenda as president, with tax reform and the repeal of ObamaCare as top agenda items.

“I think you’ll be liking some of the things we’ll be putting forward in the not-too-distant future,” Trump said. “Do you know what I mean? Yes? Do you know what I mean?”

Trump also got cheers from the crowd when he asked if they liked his cabinet choices so far — including his decision to send Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to China as U.S. Ambassador.

“I can’t tell you how many people wanted that position. You know, it’s not bad. You go over there. You live like a king,” Trump said. “But he’s not looking to live like a king. He and his beautiful wife came to my office the other day. They’re willing to work on that relationship.”

Trump cited Branstad’s long-term relationship with the president of China. And Trump offered a litany of thorny issues Branstad will be charged with tackling with the Chinese. Trump complained that China is manipulating the value of its currency. Trump accused China of the “massive theft of intellectual property” from U.S. companies. And Trump blasted China for “not helping with the menace of North Korea.”

“They haven’t played by the rules and I know it’s time that they’re going to start. They’ve going to start. They’ve got to,” Trump said, to cheers. “…We’ve got to play by the rules, folks.”

Trump introduced Branstad to the crowd.

“He’s going to do so great. With Terry on our side, I know we will succeed in bringing our jobs back and I also know the China that’s been so tough and so competitive and frankly, dealing with people that didn’t get it, but I’ll tell you we will have mutual respect and China’s going to benefit and America’s going to benefit,” Trump said, “and Terry’s going to lead the way.”

Branstad offered very brief remarks.

“It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the people of this state and thanks to our great new president who’s going to make America great again, I am very proud to serve America in this very important role,” Branstad said. “Thank you very much.”

Judy Gray of Titonka drove down for tonight’s rally with five other friends. It’s the first time she’s seen Trump in person.

“I think he’s going to shake some things up and maybe for the better, like even the Air Force One. Why do we have to spend so much?” Gray asked. “Those kind of things — and he’s going to find the cheapest way to get these things that we need.”

Earlier this week, Trump tweeted his displeasure over the price tag for the next Air Force One. Joy Marsh lives in Winnebago, Minnesota, about 20 miles north of the Iowa border. She voted for Trump and although he lost the state of Minnesota, the contest was closer than expected.

“I just wanted to come and see him,” Marsh said. “We had seen George Bush when he was running and we just thought we’d like to see Trump as well. He’s going to be our next president. We can always tell the grandkids.”

Joy Ellis of West Des Moines attended three or four Trump rallies before the Election as well as tonight’s. She voted for Trump on Election Day and watched the election returns into the wee hours of the morning.

“I went to sleep at 1:30, then turned on the TV at 4:30 and went back to sleep feeling very, very safe,” Ellis said.

Ellis is thrilled with the choices Trump is making for his cabinet.

“I think he’s picking good people for the spots he has available,” Ellis said. “I couldn’t have picked better myself.”

Joseph Worrell drove down to Des Moines from Cedar Falls. Worrell said he trusts Trump’s choices.

“He’s a man of discrimination and knowing. He has a lot of experience,” Worrell said. “He can read people pretty well.”

“I’d be very cautious to let somebody in that I don’t fully trust,” Worrell said.

Worrell, who is semi-retired after a career in Silicon Valley, wore the red “Make America Great Again” hat he was sent in the mail after donating to Trump’s campaign.

“Honestly, from the day he announced in Trump Tower, I knew he was going to win,” Worrell said. “I knew he’d have rough times, but he made it and he’ll be a great president — I can tell you that, too.”

Iowa’s next governor says she has prepared for the responsibilities ahead.

A reporter and photographer for a central Iowa television station staked out the Des Moines airport last night, catching Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds as she returned from a family vacation in Mexico. Reynolds was interviewed live on the “Local 5 News” at 10 o’clock on WOI Television.

“It’s great to be back in Iowa and I’m really, really excited and proud of Governor Branstad — first of all — for this new assignment and this new role,” Reynolds told WOI.

Reynolds said no one is more qualified than Branstad to serve as ambassador to China. As for her new role as Iowa’s first female governor, Reynolds told WOI: “I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Governor Branstad for six years now and I have had the opportunity to learn from the best governor in the nation.”

State officials have not announced when the transfer of power from Branstad to Reynolds will occur. Branstad must win confirmation from the U.S. Senate for his new posting in China. That senate vote would take place sometime after Donald Trump is sworn in as president on January 20th. Both Branstad and Reynolds are expected to appear with Trump tonight at Trump’s “Thank You Tour” rally stop in Des Moines.

A plan to speed up approval for new drug treatments has cleared congress this week and it includes a proposal from Senator Joni Ernst.

Ernst is a co-sponsor of the “Mental Health Reform Act” and those provisions are now part of the larger piece of legislation that’s headed to the president for approval.

“It focuses on streamlining the many, many different mental health programs that we have in existence in the federal government,” Ernst says. “It focuses them, brings them together and makes them much more efficient.”

Supporters say it’s the most significant piece of mental health-related legislation since congress passed a bill eight years ago requiring equal insurance coverage for mental and physical health. The new legislation sets up grants for states, to attract psychiatrists and psychologists to rural areas and beef up community-based mental health care resources.

“We are very hopeful with this legislation we’ll be able to prevent problems in the mental health area with our constituents in Iowa,” Ernst says.

The bill calls for federal funding of training for local law enforcement who are often the first responders to someone suffering a mental health crisis.

On a separate but related issue, Ernst is asking for more information from Veterans Administration officials on two cases in which Iowa vets committed suicide after seeking help from the VA.

Officials say details on the transition of power at the Iowa capital “will be forthcoming,” but whenever Governor Terry Branstad leaves to become U.S. Ambassador to China, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will become the first woman to serve as Iowa’s governor.

“I am thrilled,” says Joni Ernst, the first female from Iowa to be elected to the U.S. Senate. “…I could not think of a more appropriate person to take on this responsibility. She has served Iowa in so many ways and has been such a strong and graceful leader.”

Reynolds has been Iowa’s lieutenant governor since 2011. Reynolds was elected to four terms as treasurer in Clarke County before winning a seat in the state senate in 2008. Branstad asked her to be his lieutenant governor running mate in 2010. Ernst says Reynolds has been a “wonderful advocate” for her political career.

“We began corresponding when I was serving overseas with the Iowa National Guard during my deployment and she was encouraging me to run for county office and she provided a lot of wonderful guidance for me,” Ernst says. “All through my career she has been very, very helpful to me.”

Reynolds and her husband, Kevin, live in Osceola. Osceola Mayor Thomas Kedley says it’s “exciting” to think Reynolds will soon be governor.

“Whenever you’re around her, you know she just makes you feel happy and positive,” he says. “She’s just a great representation of what our state is.”

Kedley has lived in Osceola for five years. He’s met Reynolds personally a handful of times, most recently when Reynolds spoke at last month’s Veterans Day observance in Osceola.

“She’s more than ‘Iowa Nice,'” he says. “She’s just a sincere public servant.”

Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham of Sioux City shares a Des Moines apartment with Reynolds when they are both at work in the capital city.

“As someone who knows the lieutenant governor very well, not only from working with her on so many initiatives that she has led, but obviously being a friend, I can’t be more pleased,” Durham says. “I don’t think we’ve had someone more ready to be governor from day one than Kim Reynolds.”

Durham says Reynolds “has been involved in every decision” made in the Branstad Administration over the past six years.

“When Governor Branstad recruited her to run with him, he told her from the beginning it was going to be a partnership,” Durham says, “and it truly has been.”

Durham has been in New York City this week, with Branstad, prospecting with businesses that might expand or relocate in Iowa — just as President-elect Trump’s team revealed Branstad will be the next ambassador to China. Trump hinted at the idea on November 6th during a rally in Sioux City. Durham was along for the governor’s trade mission to China in November, immediately after the election.

“We were in certain meetings with government officials and they would pivot to national issues and our governor is always quick to say: ‘Well, you really do know that’s a national issue. That’s not something the state deals with.’ And they were basically saying, ‘Yes, but we also know how influential you are and what a seasoned diplomat you are, Governor Branstad,'” Durham says. “And so I think they were also hoping this would be the president’s choice.”

Senator Ernst says Branstad’s opportunity is good news for Iowa.

“I know that he will excel and give this new role all of his full attention and provide a great line of communication between our two countries,” Ernst says.

Senator Chuck Grassley says Branstad’s “reputation as a straight shooter” will serve the U.S. well and Grassley predicts Branstad will get senate confirmation to the post of ambassador “very easily.”

Governor Terry Branstad has issued a written statement, formally accepting President-elect Donald Trump’s invitation to serve as the U.S. Ambasssador to China.

Branstad called it his “new mission” and he described that mission as maintaining “a collaborative and cooperative relationship” between the U.S. and China.

Branstad said Trump recognized the “unique” ties he has with China. Branstad first met the current president of China in 1985, when Xi Jinping visited Iowa on an agricultural exchange. Branstad said he and Xi have “respect and admiration for each other.”

Branstad began by saying he’s been privileged to serve as Iowa’s governor for 22 years, but he plans to seize this “extraordinary opportunity.” Read Branstad’s full statement below.

When Branstad resigns as governor, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will take his place. Reynolds issued a written statement this afternoon describing Branstad as her mentor and friend — and indicating “information about a transition will be forthcoming.” Her full statement is posted below.

Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey had been considering a run for governor in 2018, but Northey issued a statement today saying he will not run against Reynolds and Northey asked Iowa Republicans to unite behind her once she takes over as governor. His written comments are at the bottom of this post.

(DES MOINES) – Today, Gov. Terry E. Branstad issued the following statement in regards to being nominated to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to China in the Trump-Pence Administration:

I love Iowa and I love my country. For 22 years, I have been honored and privileged to serve the people of Iowa as their governor. My family and I will always be grateful to Iowans for trusting me to lead and putting their faith in me to serve.

America is at a crossroads, and the American people are looking for bold change to renew our position as the leader in the world. To once again hold America up as that ‘shining city upon a hill’ as President Reagan so proudly proclaimed. By electing President-elect Trump on November 8, this message was sent loud and clear by the voters.

During our 30-year friendship, President Xi Jinping and I have developed a respect and admiration for each other, our people and our cultures. The United States – Chinese bilateral relationship is at a critical point. Ensuring the countries with the two largest economies and two largest militaries in the world maintain a collaborative and cooperative relationship is needed more now than ever. The President-elect understands my unique relationship to China and has asked me to serve in a way I had not previously considered.

After long discussions with my family, I am honored and humbled to be nominated to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to China. I also accept President-elect Trump’s charge to prioritize collaborative policies that will Make America Great Again. This is an extraordinary opportunity. I believe that the respect and admiration built over a decades-old friendship between President Xi and I give me an opportunity to help the President-elect and serve Iowa, the United States and the world for the better.

This new mission to continue serving my state, and my country, in a new role is essential to building a bright future for our children and grandchildren. With my wife Chris by my side, I look forward to the work ahead but we will never have Iowa far from our hearts.

(DES MOINES) – Today, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued the following statement in regards to Gov. Terry Branstad being nominated to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China in the Trump-Pence Administration:

President-elect Trump’s decision to nominate Gov. Branstad as Ambassador to China speaks volumes about the character, talent and experience of Gov. Terry Branstad. As America’s longest-serving governor, I can think of no one more qualified and ready to represent Iowa and the United States of America on the world stage than Gov. Branstad. His hands-on experience in advancing trade opportunities for Iowa farmers and Iowa companies coupled with his strong and lasting relationship with President Xi Jinping, as well as other leaders in China will serve him well in strengthening U.S.-China relations. Gov. Branstad has been my mentor and friend, devoting his life to advocating for Iowa. His record-setting public service as governor speaks for itself and has, without a doubt, made this state better. Gov. Branstad has never backed down from a challenge. I’m excited and proud to see him accept the responsibility as top envoy between the U.S. and China, and know that Iowans will be proud of his service on the world stage. I have been honored to be a full partner with Gov. Branstad in this Administration and know that the experience I’ve gained over the last six years has prepared me well for this next chapter of service to all Iowans.

My family and I wish to extend Gov. Branstad, Chris and their family our most sincere congratulations as they accept this role together, knowing full well they will never be far from Iowa.

Information on a transition will be forthcoming.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey issued the following statement regarding Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad accepting the role of U.S. Ambassador to China:

“Governor Branstad is uniquely qualified to serve in this critically important position. Iowa and the entire nation will benefit from his leadership of our diplomatic efforts in China. For the Governor, public service has always been about responding to the call and putting his state and nation before his own interests and this is just another example.

“As Iowans, we will miss his steady leadership and passionate service here at home, but his leadership in China will be felt here in Iowa. His influence in this new position will not only be good for agriculture and trade, but good for America.

“The Governor leaves the state in a tremendous position thanks to his leadership over the past 6 years. With Lt. Governor Reynolds as our next Governor, Iowans can be assured that we will continue to advance the Branstad/Reynolds agenda of addressing water quality, improving education, reducing the size and scope of government, increasing family incomes and creating new jobs.

“I was beginning to explore a run for a potentially open seat for Governor in 2018. If I made the decision to run, it would not have been a decision to run against a fellow Republican, but because I feel I have more to give by serving in a different role. I encourage Iowa republicans to unite behind Lt. Governor Reynolds, help ensure her election in 2018 and join me in working to keep Iowa red for the next generation.”

Three Iowans who’ve served as U.S. Ambassadors are praising President-elect Trump’s pick of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for the role of U.S. Ambassador to China.

“First of all, when the president calls, the answer is: ‘Yes, sir. I’ll do it,'” says Mary Kramer of West Des Moines.

Kramer served as George W. Bush’s Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Kramer hasn’t talked directly with Branstad, but she has offered some advice to Branstad aides about this new role.

“Think carefully about what all you have to manage in that embassy and how that gets funded. Think carefully about how important protocol is to your audience ’cause in Iowa it isn’t very important, but it is to many people,” Kramer says. “It’s their mark of how one behaves.”

Kramer, a Burlington native, is a former state senator who at one time served as president of the state senate. She says Branstad is “uniquely positioned” to serve as Chinese Ambassador.

“I think Iowa benefits when we have people in those kind of leadership roles,” Kramer says.

Chuck Larson, Jr., a former state legislator who represented Cedar Rapids in the Iowa House and Senate, was appointed by President George W. Bush to be the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia. Larson, who also is a former chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, says it’s a “tremendous honor” for Branstad to be tapped to serve in China.

“I think this is a most amazing opportunity for our country and our state,” Larson says. “He’ll be simply great.”

Branstad first met the current president of China in 1985 when Xi came to Iowa on an exchange. Xi returned to Iowa in 2012, just before he became president. Branstad hosted an elaborate state dinner in Des Moines, toasting Xi as an “old friend.”

“No one in America has a closer personal relationship with the president of China than Governor Branstad and so, regardless of who won the election, he was the right man for this job,” Larson says. “I’m thrilled to see him lead in this area.”

Dubuque native Kenneth Quinn served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Cambodia in the 1990s.

“Having an ambassador who has a personal relationship with a head of state — it doesn’t get better than that because in that way an ambassador is able to have an effectiveness that transcends what a traditional diplomat could do,” Quinn says.

Quinn was a career officer in the U.S. Foreign Service. Quinn says “protocol” will be “big.”

“It’s a different world than American politics,” Quinn says.

Making a “personal connection” with the Chinese people will be important, too, according to Quinn.

“You’ve not just the ambassador to the head of state,” Quinn says. “You are the ambassador to all the people and you convey what America is all about.”

Quinn is now president of the Des Moines-based World Food Prize. He hosted an event this morning to honor U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. Former Ambassadors Larson and Kramer were in the audience.

Governor Terry Branstad during a visit to Iowa by the future president of China Xi Jinping in 2012.

A spokesman for President-elect Donald Trump is publicly confirming Trump intends to nominate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as the next U.S. Ambassador to China.

U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack moments ago said Governor Terry Branstad’s long-term connection to the president of China makes Branstad a good fit for the post.

“There probably is no person in America today that’s probably better suited for that particular job than Terry Branstad because he’s tenacious, because he understands trade,” Vilsack said.

Vilsack, who served eight years as Iowa’s governor, is the only member of President Obama’s cabinet who has remained in the same role for the entire duration of Obama’s presidency. Vilsack told reporters in Des Moines today Branstad has the attributes that an ambassador needs.

“He’s hardworking. He cares deeply about business and agriculture. He’s a promoter and that’s what ambassadors do. They promote,” Vilsack said. “They make sure that if there are barriers or problems to getting American made products and goods into a country, they work to make a difference.”

Vilsack indicated, though, that “a lot patience” will be required in negotiating with the Chinese.

“In the agricultural space, we’ve been conversing with our Chinese friends for quite some time about biotechnology approvals, about beef, about a series of other issues that have not been easy. We’ve made progress, but there’s more progress that needs to be made,” Vilsack said. “I can’t think of someone who would be better suited to make that case than Governor Branstad and if that’s what he wants to do and what Mrs. Branstad wants to do, I wish them nothing but the best.”

Vilsack made his comments this morning in Des Moines after he received an award from the World Food Prize.

Both of Iowa’s political parties have issued written statements.

“I commend President-Elect Donald Trump for his decision to appoint Governor Terry Branstad as America’s ambassador to China,” stated Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann. “Over the decades as Governor, Terry Branstad has forged a unique and lasting relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He is immensely qualified to strengthen the United States’ relationship with China and to promote economic prosperity and cultural understanding between the two nations. On a personal note, it is an honor to call Governor Terry Branstad a dear friend, and I wish him the very best in this future endeavor.”

“This is an incredibly important post to take. Governor Branstad’s long-term relationship with China’s President will hopefully result not only in a strong, positive relationship with China on behalf of the United States of America, but also a continued partnership with Iowa farmers, whose ag commodities are a central component of US trade–a boon for Iowa’s rural economy,” she said.

State officials today certified the results of voting for the 2016 General Election in Iowa.

More than 72 percent of registered Iowa voters cast a ballot. That ranks Iowans fifth among the 50 states in voter turnout.

Nearly 41 percent of the votes were cast before Election Day itself. Exactly one-third of all Iowa voters punched a “straight ticket.” It means they either voted for every Republican candidate or every Democratic candidate on the ballot. Officials have released a list of top six counties in terms of voter turnout, as well as the now-certified raw vote totals in the presidential race. That information is below in the news release from the Iowa Secretary of State.

Official canvass results for 2016 election

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and the other members of Iowa’s Executive Council conducted the official state canvass for the 2016 general election Monday. The canvass is the official tally of the votes. It is done to account for every ballot cast and ensure every valid vote is included in the election totals.

“This was a very successful election for the state of Iowa,” Secretary Pate said. “More than 72 percent of registered voters participated, which ranks us in the top five in the nation in voter turnout. I am very proud of Iowans for making their voices heard and I want to give a huge thanks to all 99 county auditors and the 10,000 poll workers across the state for their hard work in ensuring a fair, clean election process.”

The chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa will seek another term. Jeff Kaufmann of Wilton stepped into the role of party leader in July of 2014 when the party’s fundraising had dried up and a major U.S. senate race was just heating up.

Kaufmann helped turn party fortunes around and he’s pledging to fight “complacency” within the party after significant victories in 2014 and 2016.

“Outreach would probably be my most important job that I have to do in the next year,” Kaufmann, 53, told Radio Iowa this afternoon.

Kaufmann’s promising an “aggressive” tour of the state in 2017 to meet with “new” Republicans.

“I think they like the Republican Party. I’m not so sure they’re in love with the Republican Party,” he said. “I want to make sure I reach out specifically to those new voters, many of whom are Trump voters, and I want to make sure they know they’re being listened to.”

Those new voters likely have “new ideas” that have not been “captured” in the party’s platform, according to Kaufmann.

“I want them to think of the Republican Party as not a vacation spot, but a home,” Kaufmann said.

Donald Trump won 93 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Thirty-two of those counties had voted for Barack Obama twice. Dubuque County hadn’t voted for a Republican since 1956.

Iowa’s top Republicans — including Chuck Grassley, Joni Ernst, Governor Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Reynolds — wrote Kaufmann a letter on Friday, asking him to stay on as the party’s chairman. No one else has emerged to challenge Kaufmann, so it’s likely he’ll be re-elected January 28 when the Iowa GOP’s state central committee meets. Kaufmann, though, plans to begin fundraising later this week, to prepare the party coffers for 2018.

Iowa Democrats will be electing a new leader next month. Seven candidates are seeking the post. All seven will be given a chance to speak at the Iowa Democratic Party’s state central committee meeting on Saturday, December 17.

Governor Terry Branstad foresees both “danger and opportunity” ahead in the relationship between the United States and China.

Branstad, who is the nation’s longest-serving governor, is rumored to be among President-elect Trump’s top choices to be ambassador to China.

“I learned something on my very first trip to China in 1984,” Branstad told reporters this morning. “…The Chinese symbol for danger and opportunity is one and the same. I think that’s kind of interesting and I think that kind of sums up where we are today. America is a world super power and China is a growing super power as well.”

Branstad leaves for a previously-scheduled economic development trip to New York City tomorrow and has a commercial plane ticket to return on Thursday. Branstad’s scheduled to meet at some point with Trump before he leaves New York.

“We have a tentative appointment, but we don’t know for sure exactly when it’s going to be,” Branstad said. “Obviously the president-elect’s schedule is very busy and it changes.”

Trump himself first suggested on November 6 that Branstad would make a good ambassador to China. Branstad has repeatedly told reporters ever since that he’s not been offered the post and doesn’t want to speculate, but the governor admitted he has visited with his family about the prospect.

“It’s a decision that would be a family decision if, indeed, it is offered by the president-elect and my wife and I have had several conversations,” Branstad said. “We’ve had family conversations with our children as well and we’re going to continue that.”

Branstad’s three adult children, their spouses and seven grandchildren all live in the Des Moines area.

Branstad’s oldest son, Eric, served as state director for Trump’s campaign and has his own meeting with Trump in New York soon. Governor Branstad did not back any candidate in the run-up to Iowa’s 2016 Caucuses, but the governor has been a staunch supporter of Trump since the businessman secured the GOP’s presidential nomination.

“Who would have ever imagined that a billionaire and New York businessman would be able to connect as well as he has with the blue collar working people of America, the farmers and rural Americans who feel that they’ve been forgotten and disregarded by the administration and the powers that be,” Branstad said. “I think it’s a pretty phenomenal thing that’s occurred and I, certainly, am proud of what he accomplished.”

Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Iowa on Thursday night. Branstad plans to be there. Branstad, during his weekly news conference, fielded questions about China after touting an event at the state historical museum.

A reporter started the question-and-answer session by asking Branstad if he would accept the post in China if Trump offers it.

“It hasn’t been offered and I love my job as governor and this is my focus,” Branstad replied, listing state government issues he hopes to tackle with the Republican-led legislature.

Branstad also was asked for his view of the Community Party in China. Branstad referred to it as “one-party rule.”

“I saw what it was like my first trip in ’84. Almost everybody was wearing bicycles. They were still wearing the old Mao-type outfits. It was very drab. The only thing of color was, maybe, the clothing the children were wearing,” Branstad said. “Well, it’s changed to dramatically since they adopted a market-driven economy.”

Branstad said over the centuries, the Chinese have been “ambitious, entrepreneurial people.”

“Once they developed a market-driven economy, even under their one-party rule, they have dramatically improved the lives of their people and consequently they’ve had a growing middle class. They’ve had significant urbanization,” Branstad said, “…and yet they have more farmers in China than we have people in the United States, so it’s still very much an agricultural country.”

The current president of China visited Iowa in 1985 when he was a regional official in the Communist Party. In 2012, just before he became the country’s president, Xi Jinping returned to Iowa and Branstad hosted an elaborate state dinner at the capitol in Des Moines.

If Branstad were to resign as governor, Iowa would have its first female governor. That’s because Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds would take Branstad’s place. Branstad told reporters he “really hasn’t talked” with Reynolds about that.

“We’ve worked together as a team since day one,” Branstad said. “…She’s very well prepared and has great leadership ability.”

Branstad cited the work Reynolds has done in promoting science, technology, engineering and math courses for elementary and high school students. Branstad said she’s been involved in all the decision-making since he returned to office in 2011 and that includes interviewing candidates to lead state agencies and potential judges. Reynolds has also led several solo trade missions, most recently in South America.